Walla Walla Wine Word for Dummies: Weekly Wine Word Wednesdays

The Weekly Walla Walla Wine Word for Dummies is: Horizontal

Just like last week's wine word, "Vertical,"  a horizontal of wine is often conducted at a private or public wine tasting event. However, this time they are arranged to highlight one vintage, instead of two or more. And instead of wines from only one producer, a horizontal's focus is on two or more producers - - and again of the same vintage.  There are many variables on a horizontal tasting.

For example, here in the Walla Walla Valley a horizontal could be done using a merlot from the year 2007.  Some fine examples of a 2007 Merlot would be that of: Leonetti Cellar, L'Ecole No. 41, Northstar Winery, and Pepper Bridge Winery.

Or you can be adventurous and compare Washington State 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon's with 2005 Cabernet's from Napa Valley. Like white wine?  Go Walla Walla or Columbia Valley 2010 Rieslings with those from New York's Finger Lake Region.  

Shake it up and feature a syrah from Washington, California, France (Côte-Rôtie AOC or a Cornas AOC) and Australian Shiraz from 2005. If you are lucky enough to obtain several 1961 Bordeaux wines for a horizontal tasting (see photo above) - - please send me an invite.